Kauaʻi Bill Seeks Ban on Disposable Foam Bodyboards

A proposed ordinance that would outlaw single use foam bodyboards moved forward in County Council proceedings as residents and business owners weighed its environmental and economic implications. Bill 2976, introduced by Councilmember Fern Holland, passed first reading in October and drew a public hearing on November 12 as officials and community members discussed the prevalence of inexpensive polystyrene boards washing up on Kauaʻi beaches.

The bill targets so called disposable bodyboards, defining them by material and expected lifespan, and sets standards that require durable alternatives such as compression molded high density polyethylene or polycarbonate construction. Sponsors described the action as a response to frequent breakage of low cost foam boards which are often discarded on beaches, fragment into polystyrene litter and contribute to microplastic contamination as well as added pressure on municipal landfills.

Enforcement provisions in the measure include civil fines of one hundred dollars for a first violation and two hundred dollars for a second violation within the same year. The ordinance would take effect one year after mayoral approval, giving retailers and manufacturers time to adjust inventory and supply chains.

Local surf shop operators and school based programs that rent boards participated in the November 12 hearing and generally supported a transition toward more durable repairable products, while noting concerns about costs for families and rental programs that serve keiki and visitors. Business perspectives emphasized the potential for a market shift to longer lasting boards that can be repaired and resold, but also highlighted the need for phased implementation and support for smaller operators to avoid sudden economic disruption.

The measure was slated to continue through committee with a committee meeting on November 19 followed by a second reading before the full Council. If the Council approves the ordinance and the mayor signs it, the one year delay to implementation is intended to allow local vendors to sell through existing stock and to source compliant products.

Beyond the immediate regulatory details the proposal speaks to broader community values on Kauaʻi, where beaches and nearshore waters are central to culture recreation and tourism. Reducing polystyrene and microplastic pollution aligns with statewide and global concerns about plastics in the ocean and the impacts on marine life and coastal communities. For residents the debate will weigh environmental stewardship against affordability and access to ocean recreation, with outcomes likely to affect retail offerings rental programs and the visible condition of Kauaʻi shorelines in the years ahead.